Tools
I always enjoyed a little programming and scripting. I hope you like the following tools.
Imagecube HTML Code Generator
Reduce the number of applets on one page of your website, using imagecube. This script will convert an algorithm into the HTML code for displaying a cube with imagecube. You can also use this script to make a url, in case you just want to show someone else a certain algorithm.
Explanation:
| Algorithm: | Enter an algorithm. The supported notation is basically the same as described on this page, with the only difference that the complex 'expressions' at the bottom of that page are not supported. This means you can't enter a comment, or repeat a certain group of moves n times. |
| Script type: | If you choose solver, the script will execute the inverse of your algorithm on a solved cube, so you can see the type of problem the algorithm solves. If you choose generator, the script will execute the algorithm on a solved cube, so you can see what kind of pattern the algorithm generates. |
| Algorithm type: | If you choose a specific algorithm type, only the relevant stickers are displayed, and the other stickers will be grey. |
| Image size: | The size of the generated image. |
| U face color and F face color: | You can specify the colors you want as U face and F face. The default value is 'yellow' for the U face and 'red' for the F face. |
| Action: | If you just want to see what an algorithm does, you can enter it, change some settings, and select " |
Algorithm Order Calculator
Display Random Cube Images
I was so enthusiastic about PHP scripting, that I could not resist making writing a few more scripts... With this script, again based on Imagecube by Lars Vandenbergh you can display random images of solvable cubes. Examples:
| Example HTML Codes: | ||||
| <img src=randomcube.php?size=50&idcode=1">
<img src=randomcube.php?size=75&idcode=2"> |
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Download the script here. It basically works the same as Imagecube, but you don't have to include a stickers parameter. You can include a size parameter, but this is optional. If you don't add a size parameter, the default value will be 200. If you use this script multiple times on one page, ad an id parameter, like in the examples. This doesn't really do anything, but it let's your browser know it can't use the image that was already downloaded.
Yet Another Scramble Generator
This scramble generator gives a number of scrambles. Additionally, images are provided so you can see what the cube is supposed to look like when you are done scrambling.
NxN ImageCube
I made yet another script based on imagecube. It works pretty much the same as the original Imagecube, and has the same advantages, but with this version, you can make cubes of any order. The script generates PNG images that load very fast. You can download the source of the script here, save it as a php file, and upload it to your webserver. The script accepts five input parameters. I did not test the script with every possible combination of values for these parameters, but for most 'normal' values the script should work just fine. You can view the source of this page to see more examples. You can also use this link to the NxN ImageCube script and adjust the parameters in the adress bar of your browser to see how it works.
| 2x2 cube | 3x3 cube | 5x5 cube | 7x7 cube |
The first two examples were generated using the following codes.
| n: | The order of the cube. Range: 1..25. Default value: 3. |
| stickers: | This is a NxN*3 character string describing the stickers of the visible part of the cube. It will first describe the U face, then the F face and finally the R face. The stickers are described in "reading order", which means from the top left to the bottom right as you look at it. The symbols used are:
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| size: | The size (with and height) of the generated image. Range: 10..750. Default value: 300. |
| thickness: | The thickness of the drawed lines. Range: 1..3. Default value: 1. |
| scale: | The scale at which the image is generated. Range: 1..4. Default value 3. This can be usefull when creating big cubes (allthough I don't know if anyone out there will ever seriously write a 25x25 tutorial using this tool ;)). Example: When you want to create a 25x25 cube, sometimes there are 'leaks' that cause the background to be filled with a sticker color. When this occurs, generating the image at a smaller 'scale' will reduce the size of round-off errors, and thus reduce the chance for these 'leaks' to occor. |